Idol Chatter & Voice Views

The American Idol judges participated in a live Q&A with fans after a showing of the Idol premiere at sites around the country this evening.

Before we get down to what they had to say, here are my initial impressions of the new judges in a live setting.

Keith Urban: He provided thoughtful answers to every question he was asked. He will be a major upgrade over Steven Tyler. I cannot imagine him sleep-walking through the next four months the way Steven did in Season 10.

Mariah Carey: She showed up dripping diamonds. She comes across as stuck on herself. Her diva attitude might get old really quickly if she doesn’t tone it down and let the focus be on the contestants.

Nicki Minaj: If a single judge makes the show worth watching in Season 12, it will be Ms. Minaj. She lights up the stage. She’s not afraid of being kooky for the sake of being kooky. She will annoy the crap out of Mariah because she’s going to steal the limelight.

For the doubters, give Nicki a chance. I couldn’t help noticing that, as the judges walked off the stage in Pasadena, she was the one who hung around to greet fans in the front row. Of course, judging from the cheers that went up every time her name was announced, she seemed to have the largest cheering section.

Now, down to what the judges said:

Ryan asks why the judges got involved in Idol …

* Mariah says she signed up for Idol because “it’s American Idol. It’s created trends in music. It’s created timeless superstars.”

* Nicki, having trouble hearing over the shouts of support, says she likes the fact that no one would have expected her to do Idol. And, her last piece of advice came from Lil’ Wayne, who suggested she do it.

* Keith, sitting between Mariah and Nicki, says he loves creative people “and what this show can do for people trying to find a way in, any way in … This show does it on steroids.”

* Randy calls Idol, “the Picasso” of singing shows, the one others try to imitate.

Responding to other questions, the judges had this to say …

* Keith Urban says one 15-year-old did an original song in Hollywood Week that people would buy right now, if it were recorded. Asked if doing an original on the song is risky, Urban joked: “Singing a Mariah Carey song in front of Mariah Carey is risky.”

* Nicki was asked if there’s anything a contestant could do to be memorable. “They could flash me,” Nicki responds, laughing.

* Mariah was asked which past Idol winner has the best voice. Mariah dodges the question, saying she’s learned new respect for the Idol process as a judge.

* Mariah said her childhood Idol was her mother, the first person she ever heard sing. “She sang all different styles of music, but she started as an opera singer.”

* Questioned about her inspiration, Nicki asks whether the audience wants a corny or kooky answer. She says she grew up in a dysfunctional household and her drive was “to get (her) family out of this kind of life. Anytime I thought about stopping, I’d think, ‘No, I can’t. Gotta keep going.'”

* Randy says he looks for three things in a contestant: uniqueness, star potential and unbelievable talent.

* Asked what he likes about doing Idol, Keith says he enjoys being part of the dysfunctional family that is American Idol. Nicki compliments Keith on his sense of humor.

* Ryan asks if the judges would consider performing together at some point this season. Keith immediately says he’s in. Mariah and Nicki do not.

If you were looking for on-stage feuding, that’s as close as the judges came Wednesday night.

But check back next Wednesday and Thursday, when I’ll be live blogging the two-night, four-hour premiere of Season 12.

After seeing the judges live for the first time tonight, I’m very much looking forward to it.